Automation Operator II - Evening Shift Seed Packing

Automation Operator II – Seed Packing

Evening Shift

Position Summary

Johnny's Selected Seeds has an immediate opening for a Full-time, Year-round, Automation Operator II – Seed Packing for our evening shift. This position is located at the Winslow, Maine facility. The standard hours for this position are Monday to Friday, 2:30 pm – 11:00 pm, some overtime is required. Starting pay is $24.66 ($22.66 per hour plus a $2.00/hr shift differential for working evening shift).

Automation Operator II on Second Shift is the primary operator of Seed Packing Automation Equipment. They are responsible for overseeing the workflow, setting the pace, and assisting the supervisor in daily work functions as needed. They ensure work is performed efficiently and take the lead in resolving issues. This role provides operational leadership for both seed packing automation equipment and personnel across all functions on the shift, ensuring safe operation, accurate documentation, optimized performance, and timely order fulfillment to meet customer service expectations. This role will be cross-functional and include some activities typically associated with support departments, such as equipment maintenance, systems troubleshooting, gathering of seed, and finished goods put-away. As automated workload changes, this individual will perform the standard duties of a Seed Packing OA II, including, but not limited to, hand packing of seed. You will oversee full-time and seasonal staff in all areas of the business as needed, while coordinating automated packing processes to ensure orders are packed and processed safely, accurately and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to and promote JSS safety practices.
• Work to share our company mission and values.
• Provide a positive attitude to the work environment.
• Monitor workflow in the department to ensure efficient and accurate inventories in our products.
• Must be able to communicate well with all departments.
• Actively work to create a harmonious work environment.
• Ensure staff follow all company workplace policies.
• Assist in new hire training and ongoing development of team members.
• Provide regular feedback on opportunities, issues, and successes to employees, and report back to supervisor or management as appropriate.
• Engage in process improvement initiatives.
• Monitor performance of staff members and report observations to the supervisor, management, and HR as applicable.
• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot automated seed packing equipment to ensure production goals, quality standards, and customer service levels are consistently met.
• Provide team leadership for seed packing automation operations, coordinating workflow, prioritizing work, and ensuring efficient utilization of automated equipment and personnel.
• Develop, maintain, and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, production records, and other documentation related to automated seed packing equipment and processes.
• Ensure accurate completion of equipment logs, production reports, changeover documentation, and other operational records.
• Train and mentor employees on the safe operation, setup, changeover, troubleshooting, and best practices associated with seed packing automation equipment.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering teams to identify equipment issues, improve system performance, and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and uptime.
• Support preventative maintenance activities, equipment upgrades, testing, and implementation of new automation technologies within the seed packing operation.
• Will be responsible for workflow tasks that vary with customer and business needs.
• Work overtime and/or weekends as needed.

Education

• High School Diploma or Equivalent required.

Qualifications & Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer, math, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn, operate, and troubleshoot automated seed packing equipment and associated production systems.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to successfully lead a team in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while balancing personnel, workflow, and equipment demands.
• High comprehension of workflow processes, including automated packaging operations, material flow, and production scheduling.
• Excellent attention to accuracy and detail, particularly with seed counts, packaging specifications, equipment settings, and production documentation.
• Ability to document, interpret and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, equipment logs, and production records.
• Ability to identify equipment performance issues and work effectively with Operations, Maintenance, and Quality teams to resolve them.
• Experience training, coaching, and mentoring employees on equipment operation, safety procedures, and best practices is preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining safety, quality, and productivity standards.
• Must be able to adapt to constant priority changes, production schedules, and evolving business needs.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and the optimization of automated processes and workflows.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to read, communicate, and work with numbers.
• Ability to bend, pull, push, and lift up to 70 lbs. repetitively.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 80% of the workday.
• Ability to perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements.
• Ability to climb stationary ladders and access equipment platforms.
• Ability to reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maneuver around production equipment.
• Ability to visually inspect products, packaging, labels, and machine operation with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to hear machine alarms, equipment notifications, and verbal instructions in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to safely work around moving mechanical equipment and follow lockout/tagout and other safety procedures.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to work in varying warehouse and production conditions, including exposure to dust, noise, and seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Benefits

• Health Insurance (PPO, HSA)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (Medical & Dependent Care)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & Profit Sharing
• 401(k)
• Employee Discount
• Maternity/Paternity/Adoption & Foster Care Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Company Paid Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off & Float Holidays
• Paid Holidays
• Educational Assistance

Johnny's Selected Seeds was established in 1973 by our Founder, Rob Johnston, Jr. Today we are 100% Employee Owned. Johnny's mission is Helping families, friends, and communities to feed one another by providing superior seeds, tools, information, and service.

Johnny's is renowned for our exceptional customer service offering seeds, tools, supplies and information to direct-market growers and avid home gardeners. We source, breed, trial, and sell outstanding selected varieties of vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, and farm seed, as well as thoughtfully designed tools and equipment. We take pride in the wealth of information and depth of experience we offer our customer base, nationwide and globally.

If you are passionate about good, healthy food and would choose to work for a company with employee owners (FT) who are passionate about our mission and values, Johnny's may be the place for you!

Johnny's Selected Seeds is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability or handicap, or veteran status.

Benefits

• Health Insurance (PPO, HSA) • Dental & Vision Insurance • Flexible Spending Account (Medical & Dependent Care) • Employee Stock Ownership Plan & Profit Sharing • 401(k) • Employee Discount • Maternity/Paternity/Adoption & Foster Care Leave • Company Paid Life Insurance • Voluntary Life Insurance • Voluntary Pet Insurance • Company Paid Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance • Paid Time Off & Float Holidays • Paid Holidays • Educational Assistance